Pete Shelley Of Buzzcocks Dead At 63

Pete Shelley, one of the co-founders of British punk band Buzzcocks, died Thursday of a heart attack in Estonia. He was 63.

In a tweet, the band described him as “one of the UK's most influential and prolific songwriters.”

Tim Burgess of The Charlatans tweeted: “Pete Shelley wrote perfect three minute pop songs. The soundtrack to being a teenager. You’ll be missed Pete but you’ll be remembered for a long time for your brilliant music.”

Born Peter Campbell McNeish, the musician was born in Leigh, England and went on to form the Buzzcocks with university friend Howard Devoto. The band, which made its debut opening for the Sex Pistols in Manchester in 1976, became part of the punk revolution.

The Buzzcocks had songs with titles like “Orgasm Addict,” “What Do I Get?” And “Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve.”

The band broke up in the early ‘80s but later reunited.

On social media, tributes are pouring in for Shelley.

Teenage Fanclub's Norman Blake shared: "His songs were important to me when I was a young man and they still are to me now. Thank you Pete and R.I.P. You will be missed."

Jeff Ament of Pearl Jam said playing shows with the Buzzcocks was "one of the highlights of my life." He added: "Thank you, Pete, for all the great words and music. Hollow Inside."

Ex-New Order bassist Peter Hook remembered Shelley as "a true gent." He tweeted: "He helped us so much at the start of our career out of a sheer love for all things punk. Without Pete & the Buzzcocks I would probably still be working at the Docks. RIP mate."